New to Star Island?
Here are some tips to help you understand pricing and get available discounts and grants (as applicable) for your trip to Star Island.
The Natural History Week conference fee is $150.00 for 2026. This fee covers our expenses for speakers and supplies for the conference. The room and board fees are charged by Star Island and are in addition to the conference fee. You have choices at different price points for your accommodations.
When you click on the registration page the first part you will fill out is your deposit needed to book yourself for the conference. You will need to pay a $350 deposit ($200 towards room and board and $150 for NHW program fee).
After you complete the deposit section, you will proceed to the full registration page. Here, you will have to choose your room type. The 2026 Room and Board pricing is as follows:
Adults (18+)
The standard rooms are located in the Oceanic Hotel and nearby cottages. These rooms share a centrally located bathroom in the hallway. All showers are in the basement shower rooms of the Oceanic hotel.
Standard Shared: $1,325 | Standard Single: $1,890
The motel rooms have a modest, private half bath (sink and toilet). All showers are in the basement shower rooms of the Oceanic hotel.
Motel Shared: $1,665 | Motel Single: $2,435
There is a reduced fee for participants under 18:
Under 6: Free | 6-11 years: $615| 12-17 years: $880
Discounts and Financial Grants are applied separately from your registration.
DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE:
10/10 Bring a Friend Program!
Share the joy of Star Island and help us grow our community!
Are you a returning Shoaler? Receive a 10% room and board credit for each new Shoaler you bring to NHW.
Are you new to Star Island? If a friend refers you to NHW, you will also receive a 10% credit to your room and board bill.
The application for this discount is filled out by the person who is new to attending a Star Island conference. Please be sure to ask the person you’re bringing to Star to list your name and email address on their application.
Important things to know before you fill out the application:
- The application must be submitted by the new Shoaler (the person who has never been to a Star Island conference before).
- All individuals receiving this discount must be officially registered for the NHW conference prior to any discount being applied. So, register for the NHW conference first, and then send in this application for the discount. The discount is applied to your final bill when you check out at the end of the conference.
- This application must be submitted no later than two weeks before the NHW conference start date.
- This discount only applies to you if you are going to attend the complete duration/total length of the NHW conference. NHW is a 7 night conference. You must be present for all 7 nights.
- You may only receive one discount each conference season (even if you qualify for more than one discount). Individual members of a family unit can receive different discounts.
- This discount may be combined with financial aid and is subject to individual conference policies.
- There is a cap. Individuals or families cannot receive more than the total value of room and board – including any financial aid or outside stipends.
Former Pel Discount!
Are you a former Pelican? Former Pelicans who have not attended more than one night of a conference on Star Island since 2023 or earlier receive two years of a discounted rate for any conference! This year you can get 50% off room and board, and next year you’ll get 25% off!
FINANCIAL GRANTS AVAILABLE:
If finances are challenging and you feel called to attend our conference, please consider applying for a financial grant from Star Island Corporation. Please read here to learn more about this funding and apply. Deadline to apply for funding to attend our conference is APRIL 15, 2026. You will receive a decision by May 15.
The NHW conference also offers a scholarship. When you apply for a financial grant above you can allow your application information to flow to our scholarship committee to also be considered. A small scholarship fund, coordinated with the Star Island Corporation, is available by application. Contact Jim McLaren, conference registrar: jmclaren45@gmail.com